2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG revealed

More of everything is the mantra for the overhauled E63 AMG. The Mercedes-Benz mid-sized performance line now hits 100km/h from rest in a supercar-quick 4.2 seconds despite the inclusion of new safety features and the sensors to support them.

The 2014 model will have an automated emergency braking system that detects pedestrians and the “Pre-Safe” collision preparation software can now identify an imminent rear-end crash and prepare the car accordingly. There are also always-on LED headlights and an automated parking system for parallel and end-on berths.

More than 1500 changes have been made to the vehicles, headed by an optional four-wheel drive system that launches the AMG products into a different league again with sprint times from just 3.6 seconds. The mid-life addition of all-paw grip means the cars haven’t been configured to operate in right-hand drive mode.

Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Jerry Stamoulis says that will change when the engineers craft the next generation E-Class.

Power from the twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 is up from 386kW to 410kW and torque has climbed 20Nm to 720Nm. All-wheel drive versions with the “S-Model” performance upgrade have 430kW/800Nm.

The changes will flow on to the CLS four-door coupe, which sits on the E platform. AMG began experimenting with all-wheel drive for the baby A-Class model.

The acceleration and handling benefits were so impressive the performance division now plans to launch AWD versions of all its vehicles to sell alongside the traditional rear-powered line-up.

Vehicle development leader Tobias Moers says the all-wheel drive system takes the AMG experience to another level.

With details of the 2014 E-Class range just being released Mercedes-Benz Australia has yet to finalise prices or specification for its cars, though Stamoulis expects any changes to the $241,000 price for the current model will be minimal.